East Ridge Students Racing Ahead
Several students from East Ridge High School placed first in the Tennessee Speed & Sport “Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge” competition and will be headed to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas this November to compete nationally representing Division 2.
These students, led by a teacher and a consultant, joined East Ridge High School’s Auto Tech team and completed over 100 hours of training to develop their abilities to disassemble and reassemble a small block Chevy in less than 40 minutes.
Mayor Mike Steele formally congratulated these students at City Hall on Thursday, March 11 and issued a proclamation designating the date as official East Ridge High School Future Hot-rodders of America Day.
“On behalf of the City of East Ridge I commend these students for their hard work and dedication, and applaud their recent achievement,” said Mayor Steele. “The automotive industry is thriving and growing, and with these skills they will be able to more easily pursue a career in this industry. We wish them the best of luck in the upcoming national competition.”
The East Ridge High School Future Hot-rodders team competed against eight other high school auto tech teams at the “Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge” competition held in Nashville, Feb. 28 of this year. Participating teams were made up of invited auto technology classes from local high schools.
Each team consisted of five students and the instructor/coach. Each individual schools set standards and guidelines for involvement. Grades, attendance and skill were part of the making of the team.
The 2009 East Ridge Future Hot-rodders team consists of Brandon Hickey, Eldin Hrnic, Cody McIntyre, John Ollinger, Jacob Seward, Brandon White and Josh Wright. The team is led by East Ridge High School teacher Rainey Horne and consultant Tommy Hodge.
SEMA is the nation’s largest automotive show and car expo. Winning team members at SEMA will each receive a $10,000 scholarship to a technical college.
